Improvement in book-supports



W. H. POST. Book-Supports.

Patented Jan. 20, I874.

AM M070 WWW/F1170 Ca M X r amm/rs moms) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. POST, OF CATSKILL, NEW YORK.

IM PROVEMENT lN BOOK-SUPPORTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 146,706, dated January 20,1874; application filed September 16, 1873. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. Postr, of Catskill, in the county of Greene and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Adjustable Holder for Books, 850., of which the following is a specification:

This invention may be used as a book-holder or as an adjustable salver for invalids or bedridden persons. It consists in a novel combination of parts, whereby books, articles of food, lights, &c., may be held in any desired position with reference to the person using the device.

Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus made according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a detached view, taken at right angles to Fig. 1, of a portion of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a plan view of another portion of the same.

A is a metallic clamp, provided with a tightening-screw, a, and designed to be fastened to the rail of a bedstead, or to other equivalent support. Formed in one with this clamp, and

- constituting a portion of the same, is a vertical sleeve, A, the cylindrical interior of which receives the cylindrical lower end B of an upright standard, B, the shoulder G of the latter bearing upon the top of the sleeve, as shown in Fig. 1.. In one side of the upper part of the standard B is formed longitudinally a dovetail groove, which receives a dove tail feather, 0, provided on the arm 0 of the horizontal rest 0, the direction of the said feather being at right angles to the length of the rest. A set-screw, c, is so provided to the standard as to tighten the feather in whatever position the same may be placed therein. D

- is the salver or dish, of any desired or requisite form, but with a bottom more or less approximating flatness, and furnished with downwardly-projectin g semicircular loops f of sheet metal. The outermost portion of the rest 0 is so shaped and proportioned as to pass through, and fit snugly in, these loops, and thereby sustain the salver. The clamp being fixed upon the bed-rail, or equivalent support, as indicated at F in Fig. 1, the standard is supported in a vertical position, with the rest 0 horizontal, and, consequently, with the salver in the last-named position. The lower end of the standard working in the sleeve A permits the standard, and the parts supported thereby, to turn upon its axis, so that the salver may be brought immediately in front of a person partially reclining 011 the bed-as, for example, with the head and shoulders supported by pillows-the salver being, furthermore, by the same means, capable of being turned to the side of the bed, or, if desired, back or outward wholly out of the way. The height, also, of the salver may be adjusted by raising or lowering the rest 0, the feather 0 moving in its groove until brought to the requisite position, and then fastened by tightening upon it the screw 0.

When not required for use, the apparatus may not only be readily detached from the bed-rail, or other support, but maybe taken,

apart and packed in small space with great facility.

It will be understood that the device may be used for holding books or the like during perusal, in a manner substantially the same as when employed by invalids, as hereinbefore described.

What I claim as my invention is- The device for holding books, food, and other articles, constituted by the combination of the screw-clamp A, formed with the sleeve A, the standard B, grooved and furnished with the screw 0 at its upper end, and the adjustable rest 0, carrying the shelf D, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

WM. H. POST.

Witnesses:

P. M. ABEEL, (Euro. 0. FRANCIS. 

